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State still prioritizing COVID-19 test kits for targeted testing

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Posted at 8:41 PM, Mar 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-24 20:41:54-04

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana state health commissioner said there is a limited number of test kits available right now so testing at the moment is limited to the most at-risk populations.

Test kits, like those produced by Roche, are now available in all Indiana counties. Roche is making 400,000 test kits per week that are being shipped all across Indiana and the country.

"We will see the number of positive cases go up as testing increases across the state," Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said. "We are leaving the decision of who should be tested in the hands of the clinicians who are on the front line based on the patients presentation, medical history and where they work."

Box said those experiencing symptoms should already be taking precautions. More than 3,000 tests have been reported to the state so far with 365 tests coming back positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

"These individuals are not numbers," Box said. "For every single Hoosier that has lost their life there is a family, friends or community out there that is grieving their loss."